For Better Heart Health, Avoid These Foods If You Have High Triglycerides Too Many Starchy Foods Some vegetables are better than others. Limit how much you eat of those that are starchy, like corn and peas. Too much pasta, potatoes, or cereals can raise triglycerides. Eat them in moderation. A serving is a slice of bread, 1/3 cup of rice or pasta, or half a cup of potatoes or cooked oatmeal. Baked Beans with Sugar or Pork Added Beans have fiber and other nutrients going for them. But if they're made with sugar or pork, they may not be the best choice. The label on the can should say what's in there, and how much sugar and fat you're getting. Switch to black beans, which are a great source of fiber and protein, without saturated fats or added sugar. Too Much of a Good Thing Fruit is good for you especially if you are having it in place of a rich dessert. When you have high triglycerides, you may need to limit yourself to 2-3 pieces of fruit a day.
Alcohol You may think of alcohol as being good for your heart. But too much of it can drive up your triglyceride levels. That is because of the sugars that are naturally part of alcohol, whether it is wine, beer, or liquor. Too much sugar, from any source, can be a problem. Your doctor may recommend that you not drink at all if your triglyceride levels are very high.
Foods with Added Sugar, Sugary Drinks, Honey, Maple Syrup, Candy and Other Desserts Limit sweet tea, regular soda, specialty coffee drinks to no more than 8 ounces per day. You may think of honey and maple syrup as being healthier or more “natural” than refined sugar. But like sugar, they can raise triglycerides. Beware!
Baked Goods, High-Fat Meats, Butter or Margarine Limit the saturated fat in your diet. That includes the saturated fat in the butter that's baked into pastries. You should also avoid trans fats altogether. Check the nutrition facts label to be sure. Choose leaner cuts of meats; avoid processed meats, including bacon and sausage. Use olive, canola, walnut and flaxseed oils in place of butter and margarine which have too much saturated and trans fats.
ADSS Nutrition Team, Winter FY’18 Source: WebMD, 2017